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Arches Over San...what? San-Diego?

Bryan Dubois

Mar 23, 2010

Wouldn't it be nice to have an arch welcoming visitors to Sandusky? Communities do that when they're proud of what their area has to offer. The arch could go in place of this steel structure that nearly spans Rt. 250 already:

The arch could look kinda like Schade/Mylander Plaza:

Sandusky erects an arch for a local philanthropist, but what about the pride for the rest of the city? (Ask George Mylander, because I bet he would agree that local pride is important for economic development.)

And Wes Poole just pointed this out to me:

That's 222 Meigs Street. Sandusky city hall. Says so right on the sign, doesn't it? City of...what? San Diego? City of San - what?

That tree shrouds the city sign like the lack of livability shrouds the city from progress. Marketing 101: Image is everything. Make sure your city sign - which represents your community - is clearly visible.

Comments

Karl Hungus-Mr....

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 6:14am

Mylander, not the city, paid for that arch and the park. Does the city really have enough money just laying around to pay for an arch?

Bryan Dubois

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 6:30am

I may be mistaken, but I don't think Mr. Mylander paid entirely for that park. Also, how much is the real estate worth on which the park sits? If Mylander paid entirely for that park, did he pay market value for prime waterfront real estate in the center of downtown? Anyway, the plaza wasn't the point of the post, but I think you knew that.

As far as having money "laying around" - no city ever does. They must prioritize what they spend money on. The point here is that the city is not taking care of it's image.

My questions to you:

What is the purpose of city government?

And,

Do you like that evergreen in front of 222 Meigs?

Karl Hungus-Mr....

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 6:49am

Mylander paid for the park and at the time wanted to expand it to shoreline park if I remember correctly. I recall the funds came from his sale of some C.P. stock. I am pretty sure that the plaque at the plaza even says that it was paid for by the Mylander Foundation in honor of his family. I am sure that the city pays for the upkeep, and the clean-up when kids fill the fountain with Mr. Bubble during the summer. (It is funny to watch bubbles roll down Columbus Ave. like suburban tumbleweed)

I am all for spending money on projects that show city pride. Projects like fixing potholes, cleaning up condemned structures, street cleaning, maintaining city owned parks, and helping homeowners that need help maintain their property. However, building an arch to tell tourists something they already know...well I do not know if a city that is already talking about making cuts should do that. Now, maybe if a local philanthropist (aka ex-mayor) wanted to foot the bill......Maybe we could tell them that this arch will bring in 5 million smackers.

To answer your last question, I have learned over the last year that the purpose of city gov. is to fire, harass, and belittle those who do their jobs to the taxpayers satisfaction, and promote, applaud, and salute people who are worthless. They do this while promoting projects that are hopeless and will bring the majority of its citizens little reward. Oh, and you can forget about leaders like Stahl, the current police chief, or his secretary answering any of your emails (even if all they are simple requests like information on the new golf cart law).

Bryan Dubois

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 6:59am

Heh:

To answer your last question, I have learned over the last year that the purpose of city gov. is to fire, harass, and belittle those who do their jobs to the taxpayers satisfaction, and promote, applaud, and salute people who are worthless. They do this while promoting projects that are hopeless and will bring the majority of its citizens little reward. Oh, and you can forget about leaders like Stahl, the current police chief, or his secretary answering any of your emails (even if all they are simple requests like information on the new golf cart law).

I was thinking more along the lines of "providing basic city services" or "to use tax dollars to pay for city services cheaper than a citizen would have to pay if he bought the services himself." -- but I guess you're right: When government gets this dysfunctional it's hard to remember what their purpose actually is.

Karl Hungus-Mr....

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 7:09am

I was thinking more along the lines of "providing basic city services" or "to use tax dollars to pay for city services cheaper than a citizen would have to pay if he bought the services himself."

Yeah, services like trash pick-up.....do-oh...ok, ok, I got it this time...OK, how about recycling pick-up....do-oh again... I know....leaf pick-up....oh yeah I forgot.

Karl Hungus-Mr....

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 12:33pm

Ok so maybe I was a little tough on the city in my earlier posts. They do provide me with cheap entertainment.

These are some of my favorite things to do while watching the city commission in action:

What is the true identity of Craig Stahl? Is he a much more famous person living incognito right under our noses?

Is he really a mild mannered city official:

Or a famous tv host/ sit-com star?

Or maybe a famous Brittish singer/piano player

Or a slightly less famous British sing/songwriter that hangs out with the more famous one:

I apologize to Elvis Costello......

They also supply me with the media for my favorite drinking game.

The rules to the game are simple:

Everytime Bob Warner starts to act and talk like he has a clue as to what he is talking about you take a drink.

Whenever Dave Waddinton starts to nod off you take a drink.

Everytime Stahl's timer goes off you take a drink.

If a citizen that is asking a question is told "We do not have an answer for you" or "we will not release the amount of money spent" then take a drink.

If a question is refered to a dept. head, and that dept. head either has no idea what the answer is or says "they will look into it" you take a drink.

If Kline says something that is totaly illogical, or makes a decision that will hurt the taxpayers of this city for years to come you take a drink. (yeah you will need a big bottle)

Last but not least everytime the entire Stahlin Voting Bloc refuses to look into a matter, but Dan Kaman steps up and shows true leadership and promises to look into the matter....do not take a drink, just give up and put your house on the market.

ibd1

Wed, 05/13/2009 - 1:45pm

I would prefer to see more rigorous enforcement of building codes along all major paths into Sandusky, especially Route 4. You got to stop the rot!

hilltop

Thu, 05/14/2009 - 7:34am

Erie County is already ahead of you.

With a 20 million dollar debt (and counting) to build "Mount Meyer" at the Erie County Dump site, we could put up signs that direct tourists to all the major attractions in Erie County, including the dump. WIth visual access to the Ohio Turnpike, it's a natural spot for advertising.

Everyone saves. No need for new signs in Sandusky. No need for an arch. Cedar Point might even install a new ride called, "RIde Through Environmental Hell."